The No. 2 executive at Texas' leading business lobbying organization will return to North Texas as president and CEO of a regional advocacy group.

Chris Wallace, now president and chief operating officer of Austin-based Texas Association of Business, will join the North Texas Commission in mid-June. He succeeds James Spaniolo, who is retiring.

Established in 1971, the commission partners with businesses, schools, cities, counties, chambers of commerce and economic development groups to promote the region's economic firepower.

Chris Wallace

Before joining TAB in 2014, Wallace was president and CEO of the Greater Irving-Las Colinas Chamber of Commerce.

"Chris joining the North Texas Commission is a major step forward for our new North Texas Advocacy Coalition," board chairman Chuck Allen said in an announcement. "Not only is he an established advocate for business through his work with TAB, but he comes with deep regional knowledge and strong relationships through his 10 years leading the Greater Irving-Las Colinas Chamber of Commerce."

The North Texas Advocacy Coalition is a collection of business, government and university leaders who want to carry a pro-business message to the statehouse in Austin. The initial goal is to increase election turnout. Longer-term, its plan is to develop a more powerful voice for a business-friendly agenda.

Last year, the Texas Legislature almost passed a "bathroom bill" that was overwhelmingly opposed by businesses, which considered it discriminatory.

Wallace was credited with mobilizing business in opposition to the bill. He also pushed for reauthorization of the Export-Import Bank, and advocated for transportation funding and a trade agreement with Mexico.